Like the other reviews mention, I agree this is a great piece of luggage that is durable, functional, and worth the money. My only complaint is the design of the back section leaves no room for air to flow between your back and your pack. If you wear this in warm weather, and have a full pack, you can easily end up with a sweaty back. Many other brands use a netting system in the back to allow airflow around your back, making for a cooler and more comfortable wear. This one design flaw holds this bag back from being truly outstanding. C'mon Red Oxx!

---------- Red Oxx Replies : The quality of a material that could be used for said backing does not yet meet our stringent standards. That's probably why you see backpacks or rucksacks with that material not covered by lifetime warranties. It wears out.

55

By Anonymous, Arizona, August 31, 2016

I have to agree with the vast majority of reviews. This is the best backpack I've ever owned. The construction, especially the zippers, is super durable. I'm an airline pilot and I've been dragging my C-Ruck behind my roller bag for a couple months now. I love the metal rings that attach the shoulder straps. I use two carabiners to attach my C-Ruck to my roller via the metal rings. Works perfectly!

I also like the fact that there's one large main compartment vs many smaller compartments. This makes the interior space more usable. The size is perfect for carry on. I usually slide it under the seat in front of me. Add long as I don't over stuff the bag, this isn't a problem normally.

The bag is a bit pricey, but it's made right here in the USA. We can't complain about losing jobs to foreign workers if we keep buying 'made in China!' Thanks for the great bag Red Oxx!

55

Perfect for the flexible business traveler too!

By Lucien Walsh, Baltimore, MD, August 11, 2016

When traveling abroad on business and staying in a different town every night, there are two kinds of baggage: carry-on, and lost. I've been a devotee of the Air Boss + Roll Up Packing Method for over a decade, and swear by my trusty Air Boss. But a broken clavicle has made the occasional terminal sprint an uncomfortable one. Even long wait for shuttles and taxis has become unpleasant with a shoulder strap.

With a robust travel schedule looming this year, I decided to give the C-Ruck a whirl. It took some adaptation of my packing method (take the weariest denizens of the underwear and sock drawer and simply discard them as you go, for instance) but I was able to get as many as 10 days of "wine business casual" stuff into the C-Ruck...and boy what an improvement in my comfort! As with the Air Boss, the C-Ruck shoves into the overhead without fuss while fellow travelers using rigid roller bags struggle to find space and cast a fearful eye at the gate check area. Shoulder straps are no slip and generously padded; the outboard pockets are perfect for toilet kits, sandals, or rain gear. A trip to Argentina required winter clothes and my coat rolled up and was securely stowed with the Fastex straps. For the longest of the trips I complemented the C-Ruck with my Metro Briefcase since there wasn’t room for the laptop, charger, adapter, and such. But for the weeklong jaunts the C-Ruck handled everything on its own.

On every trip, fellow business travelers were astonished I was living out of such a compact bag. With a little ingenuity and a well-designed bag like the C-Ruck, it’s easy!

35

A bit disappointed

By Doug, DC, August 11, 2016

So yes, it's the most well-built bag money can buy. I'm rather certain that's true. It's also great looking and holds a ton!

I bought it to carry on a 10-day trip through Japan which doesn't happen for a few weeks. Since purchase, I've packed it to the gills food shopping and biking home and spent 4 nights in Phila + NYC for a business trip.

Sadly...

This is the most uncomfortable bag I have ever tried. The advantage of the metal looped straps does not compensate for how much the build forces the straps to dig into my ribcage.

In addition, weight distribution coupled by the strap squeezing creates its own set of challenges. Heavy objects in the middle (as recommended), at the bottom, or at the top result in an imbalanced, awkward load. Basically, unless I pull the straps into a choke hold, the bag sways and shifts side-to-side, or the top third pulls away from my shoulder blades placing the brunt of the bag on my lower back or sacrum. In all fairness, I'm all of 5'7" so perhaps the design is suited for someone bigger?

Man, I want to love this thing. Everything the company stands for, the quality, etc. But when I look at that sales receipt ($$$) and think about how bad the mere 15 blocks I slugged this to Penn Station was--I'm not looking forward to the commutes during this once-in-a-lifetime trip. :(

Good luck out there,

Doug-

55

Heading to Haiti

By Michael K. McClendon, Amarillo, Texas, January 21, 2016

This was bought for our daughter for Christmas who is heading to Haiti in February for Mission work. They are only allowed so much to pack and will be back packing into remote areas. She has used this back pack since Christmas as they have traveled from New Orleans to the mid west after Christmas and are due back into New Orleans in a week. It is incredible the amount of clothes that she was able to pack in this back pack. She is excited that she is able to get everything she needs for a months travel into this back pack with out leaving out anything or needing another bag. I am excited for Redoxx to be apart of her travel in her mission trips. Knowing she has a quality product that will not give out and will provide for her needs is incredible. Thank you Redoxx for making such quality products.

55

9 Years And Still Like New

By Sean, Colorado, November 20, 2015

I just looked up my old receipt and realized I purchased this bag 9 years ago. Pretty amazing, because it still looks just like it did the day I bought it. I've used this bag as a carry on, weekend road trip bag, camping, ski gear ad everything in between. I look forward to another 9 years with it.

55

I'm Six Years Old!

By "C-Ruck", Minnesota, October 26, 2015

...and in pack years I don't look a day older than when I was born in Montana. I may be built like a tank but I am still svelte enough to race through airports, fit inside a tiny safari plane, navigate urban subways, and have never suffered a failure in the field (and I have over stuffed myself with one too many souvenirs quite often)!

Though I have accumulated many miles of heavy use around the world, my lovely textile material has shown no sign of fading, fraying or unraveling, and believe me, sometimes I'm not in the best weather conditions. My fantastically designed shoulder straps continue to offer easy on/easy off comfort and are still securely attached to my main body.

But the best part is how everyone is amazed at how simple it is to travel the world with just one legal size carry on pack. At the rate I'm going I will undoubtedly fulfill my Maker's motto: Buy it once, buy it for life. Thanks Red Oxx.

55

3 Year Update

By Chris, , September 28, 2015

Here's an update on my bag for those wanting to know how it holds up over time.

I've had the bag over 3 years now and it's logged thousands and thousands of miles around the world. From the jungles of Central and South America to the harsh roads of Eastern Europe and the wild, remote areas of the Balkans, (and even a trip or two to Myrtle Beach :) )it's held up tremendously well. It's the best backpack I've ever owned and I've pretty much owned all the usual suspects.

Once, in Panama, the zipper teeth on the side pocket just crumbled and broke when I went to zip it shut. Turns out a few years ago, Red Oxx got a bad batch of zippers. They fixed it immediately and for free and it's run like a top since.

Which illustrates one of the reasons I love the C-Ruck: a sparse amount of zippers, always the weak spot of even the toughest constructed pack.

It's never been babied, including being my main bag in a wilderness survival course. But it's got virtually no wear. Certainly not ready to give up the ghost anytime soon.

People often ask me about the bag, mostly because they find it crazy it's all the luggage I'll carry for a 3 week trip overseas. I'm always glad to explain how awesome the bag is. Sometimes, the inquirer will balk at the price when they hear it, which I find humorous. Over a 10 year period, I'll spend way less on backpacks (only needing one) than them (needing to constantly replace their $100 packs).

I've got a closet full of gear regrets. The C-Ruck will never be one of them.

John Muir famously wrote the following about how to go have an adventure, "Throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and hop over the back fence." Still great advice. Just no reason to use an old sack these days--get a C-Ruck!

55

used as rr grip

By B.D.H., Illinois, July 25, 2015

bought this after buying the rail king ruck sack. although the rail king was great it was just bigger and bulkier than what I needed. I use this for my every day grip. works great for holding everything that I need as an engineer for the cn. holds all books, ppe and all overnight things. I also pack my laptop and rain poncho. change of clothes and extra shoes. it holds it all. great bag.

55

Great Sack

By Greg, Orchard Park, NY, June 25, 2015

The Carry-on Ruck is great. I bought the Ruck to be hands free during air travel. It fits my computer, and much more all while stowing beneath the seat in front of me. Thanks Red Oxx!

55

Home -in -one

By Alan M, Victoria, B.C. Canada, April 22, 2015

This is an incredible bag.When I told people that I was going away for 6 weeks (4 in Africa and 2 in the UK) with only this bag as a carry-on they were very skeptical but it held all I needed for Zambia at 30c to Scotland at 4c with no problem.Very pleased with this purchase.

55

Impressive

By Jim H, Denver, CO, April 17, 2015

I took this pack with me through Belize and Honduras. Packed the heck out of it (holds a ridiculous amount of stuff). Dragged it through jungle and beach alike. Stuffed it under bus seat, on several plane flights and long hikes. The pack still looks like band new. The quality and hardware are tiptop. I was concerned about the padding on the straps but found them to be plenty thick and comfortable. I expect this to last through many adventures. Hell, if it doesn't, there's always that warranty! Thanks Red Oxx!

55

great for the railway.

By Anonymous, Alberta, March 26, 2015

I use this as my grip on the railway.I bought the duffel bag as well as the rail king ruck sack and the rail king was way to big for me and I found I'd get hung up trying to get through the nose of the unit.This ruck sack is perfect size and they way it's designed is perfect I use it as my lunch bag at work but also use it as my everyday bag for when I go shooting,fishing or what ever is going on that day.I would like to be able to have my name badge sewn on it just like the rail king and duffel bags but a small problem.all in all just another red oxx ruck sack. High quality,great service,great product.

55

My Bulletproof Man Purse

By Max, Stage Left Wing, March 3, 2015

Superb. This bag is with me every day. I literally do not leave home without it. I've built a system around it. Each pocket has a purpose. I love this bag!

It's only a few months old, and has survived EVERY DAY use on multiple continents. There's plenty of room for all measures of life and work related gear.

It has shown NO signs of wear. If and when it does, your warranty is what all warranties should be... BS FREE! I thank you for the design integrity of your bags and your company.

Cheers!

55

Great hard wearing backpack

By Bob Farrow, Dubai, February 19, 2015

This is such a great hard wearing bag. I have to travel a lot, often taking 2 or 3 short flights a week and as airports are quite big in this part of the world a backpack is far easier than a briefcase but taking all my gear in the past meant a new pack every few months, stitching would tear, buckles break etc. but that's never going to be a problem with this baby

Very comfortable on my back and loads of room for my MacBook, iPad, Chargers, connectors, pads etc.

My only minor gripe is that the base could be better padded for when carrying a laptop, but otherwise perfect!

Oh a nd I love this dark blue colour!

55

Great for a carry-on

By Paul, Denver, February 19, 2015

Tuff as nails. Zippers work flawlessly. MADE IN THE USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! More on the higher end price wise, but worth every cent.

45

Simple Quality at a Slight Cost

By Brandon, Dalian, December 10, 2014

If it was possible to give this bag a 4.5, I would.

This bag is nearly perfect. It's so simple and sturdy, all at the perfect size. It's big enough to fit everything you need, yet short enough to shove under a plane seat without any problems.

All of this wrapped in with what seems to be an unbelievably great warranty and great price -- it can't be beat.

The pocket layouts are perfect to with a place for everything. Quick access to papers/phone/passport/headphones/pens at the top, side pockets for dirty clothes or large bottles, front pocket for access to things you may need in between those pockets and the massive main compartment. And you can't forget about that massive compartment. Perfect for loads of clothes/food and also equipped with a loose sleeve for tablets/laptops. The bottom loops are great for jackets and other large things that you don't want to take up space in the bag with. All this is in the fantastic simple design of a rucksack which is the best design for easily tossing things in and out.

That being said, there are some issues with its simplicity and size with a very heavy load. When loading a case of 12 tall cans of adult beverages into this bag (which it easily fits along with a 2 liter bottle of coke, juice, and vegetables), the strain on the lower back (light padding) and between the shoulder blades (middle strap design) becomes pretty intense during a standing bus ride and 3 mile walk from the shop.

The simplicity also comes at a cost for protecting laptops and tablets. The loose sleeve that is inside relies on a tapered pocket to protect your laptop from dropping your bag on the floor. This works pretty well for a larger 17 inch laptop, but a smaller tablet will hit the ground with a thud. The pocket is also fairly loose and doesn't seem secure in your bag unless it has other things in it. Also, with that rucksack design, drawstrings, and a smaller top flap, you may not feel comfortable with a laptop in there when it's pouring out.

That being said, I would recommend this bag to anyone who believes size, durability, simplicity, and travel needs trump that of electronics protection and extremely heavy long haul comfort. It works for me and I love it.

55

Great travel backpack

By Andy, Madison, WI, November 20, 2014

Great backpack, I fit all of my scuba gear (except for fins) and a change of clothes into the bag and it kept everything nice and secure! The warranty looks stellar too! I would recommend this to a friend.

55

Best bag for flying

By Mike C, Calgary AB, November 6, 2014

I flew to a lot different cities this past year and the ruck showed its best in crowded situations like subways where there may be lots of stairs and no close escalators or elevators (occurs in old subway stations) which rule out wheeled bags. The number of pockets on the outside means less unpacking of the main compartment. Once I got used to where I put items on a regular basis, easy assess even when stored in an overhead bin on a plane. Only improvement I made was to add some foam insulation (Home Depot) on the carry handle so it cuts the hand less with heavy loads. I have gray foam but the next one will be black to match the webbing.

55

Quality Bag

By Bill, , October 30, 2014

Very nice bag. I was a bit worried that the bag would be too small for my needs, but it is a bit bigger than I thought. My Alienware M17 fits in the laptop sleeve, although I wish it was a tad taller. The pockets are great and hold a lot of gear. The shoulder straps are comfortable and even with the bag loaded it is easy to carry. I will be getting some more red oxx gear in the future. I have been thinking about getting this bag for over a year... happy with my purchase. I plan on using this as my only bag for a few trips coming up and I think it will work great. I am a little concerned how it will do in the rain and snow with moisture getting in through the top.

I agree with a previous recommendation to male the top flap a little larger.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the C-ruck Carry-on Rucksack and the Roadster Mini Ruck?
The C-Ruck's main compartment is two inches wider and one inch taller than the Roadster Mini Ruck. These larger dimensions are also reflected in the side pockets, front raised pocket and cover flat pocket. See the Specifications Tab at left for further dimension details.

Will the C-ruck meet carry-on legal standards?
Sure, the C-Ruck Rucksack will easily fit in the overhead bins of most airlines.

What's the best way to pack the C-ruck?
Since our Rucksacks are top loaders, the most efficient way to pack one is to pack items you may need easy access to in the raised exterior pockets. Try rolling each piece of clothing. Another option we recommend is to use our Red Oxx Packing Cubes. Some intrepid travelers have used the Nomad Shave Kits and Lil Roy Gadget Bags as packing cubes. This way you can compartmentalize everything by color coding it. Bundle wrapping would require pulling the entire bundle out to access anything.

How many days worth of supplies will fit in the C-ruck?
Depends on how good a packer you are. Most people can get a weekends worth of clothes in the C-Ruck. We'd estimate three to five days.

What's the red fabric on the inside of the bag for?
Having a bright color on the inside of the bag helps to see what's inside the bag. It also adds an extra layer of weather resistant protection.

Will a laptop fit in the C-ruck? What size laptop?
Virtually any laptop with up to a 17 inch diagonal screen and two inches thick will slide into the padded sleeve inside the rucksack.

Does the C-ruck Carry-on have a belly strap?
Because the C-Ruck Rucksack does not have a built in frame, therefore a belt strap would not help to balance the load.

Are there any interior pockets?
There is a notebook / laptop stitched-in sleeve located in the back of both the C-Ruck and the Mini Ruck.

Is there a way to securely lock the pockets on my rucksack?
Sure, you can use any TSA approved bag lock or try our Cable Lock for a simple, semi-secure solution. Watch this video where CEO Jim Markel demonstrates how you can use the cable that comes with the product Dog Tag price tag to secure your bag. Keep in mind, any determined thief can still cut open a soft sided bag with a sharp knife.

My zipper broke. The teeth have separated. Do I send it in for warranty repair?
No need for warranty repair, try to fix it yourself. Check out this video where CEO Jim Markel shows how easy it is to do it yourself.

Can you ship USPS?
Yes, Red Oxx will ship USPS upon request. Simply state, "Please ship USPS" in the cart comments during checkout and we will adjust your billing accordingly.

In Stock

Paratrooper Tough!

C-Ruck: the do-it-all airline carry-on legal rucksack.

WHY USE A RUCKSACK?
Rucksacks were used by WWII airborne paratroopers. Comfortably molded to their backs they did not add hassles to their already perilous days. Our modern version of the rucksack works just as well--without the added weight and bulk of an internal frame.

Called the "C-Ruck" for carry-on travel use, the Volara foam padded backing on the main compartment cushions your back. The deep and wide main compartment will hold more than enough belongings for a dawn to dark hike.

This rugged rucksack features an interior slip pocket that will safely stow your CamelBak, laptop notebook computer, or tablet. Underneath the C-Ruck pack, we've added Fastex straps to hold your jacket in the middle of your day hike, or your yoga mat when you're heading off to class.

EASY ON, EASY OFF.
No more squirming for the straps--soft UniSuede articulating shoulder straps provide surprising all-day comfort, rotating freely at the base of the shoulder. Far stronger than stitching into the bag. The rings provide a keen workable solution to the weakest part of a backpack, the shoulder strap seams, and are much stronger than stitching into the bag.

PLACES FOR YOUR BELONGINGS.
Loaded with plenty of daisy chain loops on both the rucksack body itself and both shoulder straps, you'll never be short for hanging keys, flashlights, iPods, smartphones and anything else you may need quick access to.

Double drawstring expanded sleeve top closures and handy external raised front and side zippered pockets add almost another 1,000 cubic inches of carrying capacity making it easy to organize your belongings. All external pockets feature our tough #10 YKK zippers that conveniently zip halfway down the pocket sides so you can dig deep if you need to. These tall pockets are also the perfect size for wine, spirit, thermos, water, or soda bottles (or a package of a dozen eggs) in case you plan to pack for a picnic.

EIGHT REASONS TO OWN RED OXX C-RUCK RUCKSACK

1. A RUCKSACK BUILT LIKE A TANK.
Our customers like to define our gear as "built like a tank". While obviously you're not going to be toting around rucksacks that weigh 50 tons and have three inches of armor plate, still the comparison is valid. For a rucksack, they are built tough. Starting with the most durable soft textile material available, 1000 weight CORDURA® nylon, we use super strong proprietary UV resistant thread that is stitched into every seam.

2. BOUND AND BAGGED.
Places where two separate pieces of fabric are stitched together are then bound, that is, we take a long piece of one inch wide nylon webbing and fold it over the edges of the two pieces and stitch them together, this creates a strong seam, or binding, that prevents the pieces from unraveling on the inside of the ruck, or gives it a clean finished look if on the outside of the bag.

3. BOUND INSIDE / BOUND OUTSIDE.
In addition, each exposed fabric edge, such as on a pocket flap, is also bound using a thicker binding material. Inside edges typically receive a thinner nylon webbing, whereas outside corner edges that are exposed to wear will have a thicker nylon binding. All of our binding material is vertically woven to prevent fraying, peeling or splitting that you may commonly see in less expensive dime a dozen rucksacks that brag of "binding" their edges.

4. WHY DOUBLE BOX STITCHING?
Each stress point, such as where the shoulder straps attach to the bag, is double box stitched - which is where we get the "double XX" in our name, Red Oxx; a stitching practice we adapted from our service as military parachute riggers.

5. MY, WHAT BIG ZIPPERS YOU HAVE!
The reason Red Oxx uses the largest zipper available, the #10 YKK VISLON® zipper, is that they are easily repairable, even in the field; they will hold their place, that is, they "lock"; they are difficult to penetrate, thereby increasing the security of your belongings; they function smoothly in inclement weather and they can be yanked from a variety of angles without losing teeth or becoming separated.

6. PUTTING THE HARD IN HARDWARE.
Red Oxx has occasionally been accused of "overdoing" our hardware. But once you've had a cheap piece of plastic hardware break in the middle of a busy intersection, airport, out on the trail or other inconvenient locale thereby dumping your precious belongings all over the ground, having a heavy-duty nickel-plated or stainless steel D ring or attachment swivel that weighs just a little more, is a travel companion's confidence builder and peace of mind maker. After all, you want to enjoy your journey as best you can. Why worry about having your rucksack break you down?

7. TESTED TOUGH.
Use the C-Ruck as your vehicle bug-out bag loaded for bear and ready to ramble. Since this is a fairly large knapsack style bag, smaller framed folks might try the Roadster Mini Ruck.

Tested across the European theater by our Red Oxx Roughneck Bag Testing Crew, the C-Ruck Rucksack loaded on and off trains and intercontinental flights without a hitch (and flagged a few taxis along the way). Packing a week's worth of clothes left room for souvenirs and the external pockets kept our goods organized.

8. BUY IT ONCE, BUY IT FOR LIFE.
Because Red Oxx backs our rucksacks with our "No Bull" Lifetime Warranty, you won't feel guilty about filling up your local landfill with cheap imported junk every season. Buy it once, own it forever, and pass it on. Join the "pack" and buy a military inspired, combat-tough rucksack and stand out from the ordinary backpack crowd. When you're on the go, a Rucksack that won't breakdown is one less worry. Rugged, reliable and tough.

If you're a railroader, due to the harsh conditions on the rails, we recommend our larger 100% ballistic nylon Rail Runner Rucksack or the mondo large Rail King Rucksack.

EMAIL POLICY: Online orders will receive an order confirmation email, a UPS tracking information email when your order ships and a product review request follow-up email eight weeks after delivery. In addition, backorders beyond a dozen working days may receive an order follow-up assurance email. During checkout purchasers have the option to opt-out of our other occasional email notifications. Your email address is always secure.

Rucksack Trivia:Rucksack is German for Backpack. Der Rücken (Ruck) refers to the back part of the body and translates as "to move". Sack means "pack". To move a pack. Surprising similarities exist in other European languages such as Rucksack is Rygsæk in Danish, Rugzak in Dutch, Ryggsäck in Swedish, Ryggsekk in Norwegian, and Rugsak in South Afrikaans. A Rucksack (or Ruck Sack) is also commonly called a Haversack, Knapsack or Packsack. We call it the C-ruck rucksack because it's airline carry-on legal.